Wattou is one of the first licensed agents for the Sao Tome and Principe Citizenship by Investment Program.
Updated on July 8, 2026
Sao Tome and Principe Citizenship by Investment
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About the Sao Tome and Principe Citizenship Program
As of August 1, 2025, São Tomé and Príncipe launches its Citizenship by Investment Program – one of the most affordable and fastest programs in the world.
Applying for a passport requires a donation to the National Transformation Fund of at least US$90,000. The program’s unit (CIU) is based in Dubai, making the application process efficient and effective.
Applications are submitted through a licensed agent and there are no residency or interview requirements. Applicants can include spouses, financially dependent children under 30 years old, and parents over 55 years old. Passport can enter 60+ countries without visa or visa on arrival.
Key benefits
new business opportunities
Ability to open bank accounts and set up companies in other countries.
Alternatives
Provides additional security and adaptability in today's dynamic world.
Hassle-free process
No interview or residency required.
Affordable investment threshold
Minimum contributions start at US$90,000 – one of the most accessible investment thresholds in the Global Citizenship program.
Visa-free travel
Enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 60+ countries and regions, including South Africa and Hong Kong.
No residency requirements
After obtaining citizenship, there is no obligation to visit or reside in the country.
Citizenship for the whole family
Your application can include your spouse, unmarried children under 30, and parents 55 and over.
Quick processing
Citizenship can be obtained in as little as 2 months after application.
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Who can obtain Sao Tome and Principe citizenship
04Parents
- Aged 55 or older.
03Child
- Unmarried and financially dependent children up to 30 years old.
02Spouse
- Legally married to the main applicant at the time of application.
01Investors
- Be 18 years or older at the time of application.
- No criminal convictions and in good legal standing.
- I wish you good health.
- Successfully passed due diligence checks.
Required documents
Sao Tome and Principe Application Checklist
- Application Checklist
- Completed and signed naturalization application form
- Certified copy of birth certificate
- Other identification
- Photos (4 photos in total, 2 of which need to be authenticated)
- Certified copies of valid passports of the a...
Borderless Live
Sao Tome and Principe Program Guide
- Live Without Borders Get citizenship fast Investment amount is USD 90,000 Documents required Expert advice on submitting your application Download PDF
Why choose Aston
Provide legal assistance such as real estate and fund investment, naturalization/residence application stage, relocation, business registration, etc.
8 offices around the world with convenient communication.
Collaboration with official projects ensures that the process is risk-free.
Driving $2.6 billion in investments through residency and citizenship programs and more than 9,000 clients worldwide.
Vatu was awarded the European Real Estate Award, the best real estate broker in Greece and in the category of Best European Citizenship Advisor and Best All-round Investment Immigration Firm.
How to obtain Sao Tome and Principe
Replacement passport: 8 easy steps
Our team accepts requests, provides documented guidance, supports you at every stage, and ensures all processes are accurate and completed on time.
01
Initial consultation with a Vatu expert
Our consultants will assess your qualifications, goals, family structure and budget and recommend the most suitable application path.
02
2.3 Document Preparation:
We help collect, review, and standardize required documents to ensure they meet government requirements.
03
Application Submission:
After the application materials are prepared, they will be formally submitted to the relevant departments through authorized channels.
04
Due diligence and application review
The government conducts rigorous due diligence to verify all personal, financial, and legal information.
05
Approval Notice
After passing the review, the applicant will receive a Notice of Approval in Principle and confirm the next investment arrangements.
06
Complete your investment
The applicant completes the qualifying investment in accordance with the approved path and makes a payment or investment certificate.
07
Mandatory Online Interview
Applicants who meet the requirements are required to complete an online interview to verify the application information and meet the official process.
08
Citizenship certificate and passport issuance
Upon completion of the investment and final approval, the applicant will receive a citizenship certificate and be issued a passport.
Visa-free destinations for Sao Tome and Principe
Unlimited travel across many countries
Zimbabwe
View full country listCollapse country list
- Vietnam
- United Arab Emirates
- Uganda
- Tuvalu
- Turkiye
- Togo
- Timor-Leste
- Thailand
- Tanzania
- Tajikistan
- Syria
- Suriname
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- St. Lucia
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Helena
- Sri Lanka
- South Africa
- Somalia
- Singapore
- Seychelles
- Samoa
- Rwanda
- Qatar
- Philippines
- Panama
- Palau Islands
- Pakistan
- Oman
- Niue
- Nigeria
- Nicaragua
- Nepal
- Namibia
- Mozambique
- Montserrat
- Moldova
- Micronesia
- Mauritius
- Mauritania
- Maldives
- Malaysia
- Malawi
- Madagascar
- Macao (SAR China)
- Liberia
- Laos
- Kyrgyzstan
- Kosovo
- Kenya
- Kazakhstan
- Jordan
- Iran
- Indonesia
- Hong Kong (SAR China)
- Honduras
- Haiti
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guinea
- Guatemala
- Ghana
- Georgia
- Gabon
- Ethiopia
- Equatorial Guinea
- El Salvador
- Egypt
- Ecuador
- Dominica
- Djibouti
- Cuba
- Costa Rica
- Cook Islands
- Congo
- Comoro Islands
- Colombia
- Cape Verde Islands
- Cameroon
- Cambodia
- Burundi
- Burkina Faso
- Botswana
- Bolivia
- Benin
- Barbados
- Bangladesh
- Bahrein
- Bahamas
- Azerbaijan
- Angola
- Albania
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Citizenship of Sao Tome and Principe
Is Sao Tome and Principe a visa-free country?
No, São Tomé and Príncipe is not a visa-free country. However, its passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 60 countries, including Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and many others across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.; Susanna Uzakova; Senior Citizenship & Residency Advisor
How much does a passport from Sao Tome and Principe cost?
The minimum investment for a single applicant is $90,000. For families of 2–4 people, the contribution is $95,000. Additional dependents or newborns may require extra fees, along with passport, national ID, and citizenship certificate fees.; Susanna Uzakova; Senior Citizenship & Residency Advisor
What is Sao Tome and Principe Citizenship by Investment?
It is a government program that allows foreign investors to obtain citizenship by making a non-refundable donation to the National Transformation Fund. The minimum contribution starts at $90,000, and the program provides fast processing, no residency or interview requirements, visa-free access to over 60 countries, and the ability to include eligible family members.; Susanna Uzakova; Senior Citizenship & Residency Advisor
Is São Tomé and Príncipe a good place to live?
Yes — the country offers a peaceful, tropical environment, a slower pace of life, and relatively low living costs.; Susanna Uzakova; Senior Citizenship & Residency Advisor
How to obtain citizenship of São Tomé and Príncipe?
You can obtain Sao Tome and Principe citizenship by donating to the National Transformation Fund through the Citizenship by Investment program (starting salary is $90,000). ; Suzanne Uzakova; Senior Citizenship and Residency Advisor
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Great service!! Watu's team is knowledgeable and dedicated and they are particularly attentive and attentive to the details of your issue. Good value for money, I will definitely come back in the future and recommend to friends.
Thanks to Inessa and her highly professional and kind help, my visa application was successful. She meticulously answered my questions and gave me very detailed and helpful advice. She helped me answer more questions, even after the consultation. I am very grateful for her help. If you have any concerns or questions about your visa application, I recommend contacting Inessa!
Tamara makes property searches simple and straightforward, and residential applications are submitted smoothly without any delays. The overall experience was smooth.
Working with Vatu was a great experience! They make the complex process of acquiring citizenship through investment so easy
“I recommend Watu, the best in the industry! It went well in all phases of the company and I was successful in obtaining citizenship. Vatu's lawyers knew all the details, so the question was left out. I got my citizenship in about a year.”
Investment Coaching Specialist Immigration
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Rapid aid upon arrival in the country.
Arrange on-site or remote viewing with renowned developers.
Expert support in international bank account opening.
Provide advice and guidance throughout the property purchase process.
Assistance with document updates and passport applications.
Help find schools, banking, healthcare, and other aspects that will help you adjust to life comfortably.
Provide full support in setting up and legalizing your company.
Assist in the registration of ownership of yachts, vehicles and other valuable assets.
Assist with passport renewals, new family member applications, and document replacement.
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